Univision Q2 revs fall as auds rise

Interactive media revs fall less than radio

Revenues continued their downward slide but TV audiences rose for Univision Communications, which Monday posted 2009 second quarter net revenues of $519.5 million, down 4% from $541.4 million the year before.

While TV revs remained virtually stagnant at $414.4 million compared to $414.2 million in the second quarter of 2008, Univision’s radio division revs fell to $95.1 million from $117 million. Interactive media revs dipped slightly to $10 million from $10.2 million.

For the first six months ending June 30, the leading U.S. Hispanic media company saw net revenues fall 7.7% to $929.8 million from $1 billion in 2008.

News comes after prexy and chief operating officer Ray Rodriguez announced he would retire at the end of the year. Executive VP and chief strategy officer Cesar Conde will become prexy of Univision Networks on Oct. 1.

CEO Joe Uva, who will assume the extra title of prexy of Univision Communications, said, “In the first half of 2009 we built a strong foundation from which to grow for the remainder of the year, including completing 140 multi-year retransmission agreements and generating revenues in excess of our expectations.”

According to Nielsen, Univision Networks saw a 3% increase in auds in the second quarter, beating NBC, CBS and the CW among adults 18-34 during primetime.

Per Uva, Univision has taken steps to protect itself from the slump in the ad market by securing an amendment to its senior secured credit facility and refinancing a part of its capital structure.